Rugby League: Eagles stretch wings

SHEFFIELD EAGLES continued their run of good form with a third successive victory in the Stones Bitter Championship yesterday, beating Hull Kingston Rovers 30-17. The Yorkshire side remain unbeaten since their manager, Gary Hetherington, returned to coaching duties after the departure of Bill Gardner.

Although Rovers went ahead through a drop goal from Gary Chatfield, Sheffield responded with Lynton Stott scoring his eighth try of the season. Eagles continued to dominate, but Rovers kept in touch until late tries by Paul Carr and Lee Jackson finished off their challenge.

A late try by Chris Joynt and a goal by Paul Loughlin ensured St Helens won their first game under their new manager, Eric Hughes. A 24-16 victory against Widnes in front of 10,219, their largest crowd of the season, moved them back into the Championship top four.

Carl Gibson, playing out of position at full-back rather than centre, scored a hat-trick of tries as Featherstone Rovers overcame Wakefield Trinity 24-10 - their first away win since the opening day of the season.

Salford's climb to mid-table safety continued with their eighth win in nine games. Although they beat Leigh 23-10, the bottom-placed team pressed hard after taking a 13th minute lead when Andy Cheetham celebrated his debut with a try.

Francis Cummins, a 17-year-old winger, scored two tries for Leeds in their 18-12 win against Halifax. Another teenage player, Graham Holroyd, 18, added the goal to Cummins' first try.